1.5 Million Tons of Food Waste a Year, Greater Bandung Faces Food Waste Burden

BANDUNG, GARISBUMI.com – The Greater Bandung area is estimated to produce 1.5 million tons of food waste every year. The large generation is one of the challenges that will be answered through the Food Loss and Waste Reduction (FLOWER) Program, which makes West Java a pilot area for reducing food loss and waste.

The West Java Provincial Government together with the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) launched the program in conjunction with the 2025–2045 Circular Economy Regional Action Plan (RAD) at the West Java Bappeda Office, Bandung, Tuesday (29/9/2026).

The FLOWER program is aimed at reducing food loss or waste throughout the supply chain, from production, distribution and processing to consumption. This effort is also expected to reduce the burden on final processing sites (TPA).

Regional Assistant for the Economy and Development of the West Java Regional Secretariat, Sumasna, said that food waste is a large part of the waste that goes to the landfill.

"In downstream matters, it turns out that 45 to 50 percent of the waste that goes to the landfill is food waste, food waste," said Sumasna.

This condition is a concern amidst the almost maximum capacity of the Sarimukti landfill. Therefore, reducing food waste needs to be done upstream, before the food is wasted and enters the final processing site.

Reducing Food Waste from Production to Consumption

Deputy for Food, Natural Resources and Environment at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, Teguh Sambodo, said this program encourages awareness, responsibility and innovation in the management of food resources and waste.

FLOWER uses a foodshed approach, namely handling the food supply chain in a certain geographic area. This approach connects production locations with distribution channels, processing, and places where food is consumed.

West Java was chosen as a pilot area because it has challenges as well as great potential in reducing food loss and waste.

According to a 2024 Bappenas study quoted in the West Java Provincial Government's statement, food loss contributed 47.79 percent of the total food loss and waste in the province.

Meanwhile, Greater Bandung is estimated to be home to around 9.3 million residents in 2025 and accommodate 7.7 million tourists in 2023. The large amount of activity in this metropolitan area also provides an important context for handling food waste.

"We appreciate the Province of West Java which has become, is willing to become a pilot, become a lighthouse for other provinces in developing and implementing a circular economy," said Teguh.

Food Waste Burdens the Environment

The problem of food loss and waste is also related to climate change and waste of resources.

In a statement from the West Java Provincial Government, food loss and waste is said to contribute to around 8-10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Food that is lost or wasted also means that the resources to produce it are not utilized optimally.

Reducing food loss and waste is part of the Road Map and National Action Plan for Circular Economy 2025–2045 which was launched by the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas.

The national road map covers five priority sectors, namely food, construction, electronics, textiles and retail with a focus on plastic packaging. West Java added the paper and automotive sectors because they were considered to have a large contribution to the regional economy.

Involve the Government, Business World and Academics

The FLOWER program is organized by the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas and implemented by GGGI with funding support from the IKEA Foundation. The program is part of a regional initiative that also includes India, Mexico and Uganda.

West Java Bappeda is proposed to be the main stakeholder and beneficiary of the program because it has a role in cross-sector planning at the provincial level.

Implementation will involve the government, private sector and academics to align activities and avoid overlaps with other programs.

The Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas together with the West Java Bappeda will provide general direction. A project steering committee is also planned to be formed to guide implementation so that the solutions produced are in line with regional needs.